MovieChat Forums > The Mayor of Casterbridge (2003) Discussion > Elizabeth Jane

Elizabeth Jane

posted 17 years ago by haych83
5 replies | jump to latest

I know the story is meant to centre on Mr. Henchard, but throughout the entire adaptation I couldn't help but feel incredibly sorry for Elizabeth Jane.

First her father 'dies', then her mother dies, then she's told the man she thought was her father wasn't, she gets treated badly by her new father, she loses Mr. Farfrae to Lucetta, she is helpless when her 'father' goes on a downward drunken spiral, then she finds out he wasn't her father afterall, that he lied about her being dead to her real father and then he dies before she can forgive him.

My heart really went out to the poor girl (played brilliantly by the wonderful Jodhi May).

[–] Stampy_Sandy 17 years ago

I just watched this yesterday, and I completely agree with you, Haych83. The story may be called 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' and meant for him to be the central character, but my feeling went with Elizabeth Jane. To me, she was one of the few 'real' or 'human' characters in the movie - everyone else seemed to have some kind of an agenda to fulfill. I totally agree with what you said in your post.

Sandy S.
Oregon

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] littlekaren 16 years ago

It's hard to root for Henchard because he really had some bad qualities, along with the good. You're 100% spot on about Elizabeth Jane. Great acting throughout!

[–] Adler-99 15 years ago

"he really had some bad qualities, along with the good."

Like most real people, he was not all bad nor all good. Elizabeth Jane seemed to be the one pure character -- no matter how many times she was treated poorly, she was a dutiful daughter, a loyal companion, a faithful would-be lover. I could never have been as good as she was! The actress who portrayed her did a beautifully understated job.